The Liberec Hospital will announce a competition for a new design of the complex

Liberec - The Regional Hospital in Liberec is preparing an architectural competition for the modernization of its premises, which will be announced on September 15. The competition should result in the design of a new urgent care pavilion costing more than a billion crowns, as well as an urban development concept for the entire area for the next 30 years. Today, Petr Moos from the team preparing the modernization project introduced the conditions of the competition to the Liberec councilors.

The Regional Hospital in Liberec is the largest healthcare facility in the region and serves not only its 440,000 residents but also treats patients from across the country in specialties such as traumatology and neurosurgery. However, the buildings in the complex are spatially inadequate and do not allow for further development. The hospital's operations are also complicated by the fact that it is fragmented across 35 buildings. The modernization is expected to take place through a phased redevelopment of the area. "We want the competition to bring solutions that will be dignified and beneficial for Liberec, and we will not be ashamed of it," said Moos.

The hospital will accept proposals until January 20 of next year. Both the architecture and the functionality and energy efficiency of the future buildings will be assessed. The preservation of the hospital's operational capability during construction and transport solutions will also be taken into account. The winner of the competition will receive two million crowns. The hospital also intends to reward the authors of other inspiring proposals, with an additional three million prepared for them. "So we can combine some interesting ideas into the winning project," Moos stated.

The hospital is currently considering the first phase, which should be the urgent care center. The hospital does not yet have a unified intake system. The six-story pavilion with a helipad is expected to include a central intake, operating rooms, ICU, JIP, neurology, stroke unit, trauma center, and general surgery. The hospital plans to begin construction at the end of 2018. According to estimates, the construction of the pavilion will require about a billion crowns excluding tax, but the costs for the first phase are likely to be several hundred million crowns higher. However, they should not exceed 1.75 billion crowns. "This amount includes demolitions, design activities, engineering networks, and other elements triggered by this construction," Moos added. A new inpatient facility with a hundred beds and a parking garage is expected to be built adjacent to the pavilion.

The first phase will also be financially supported by the hospital's shareholders, which include the Liberec Region, Liberec, and Turnov. The region has committed to pay one billion, Liberec over 212 million, and Turnov nearly 135 million crowns. The hospital's share is expected to be around 400 million crowns.